What is First Trimester of Pregnancy
The first trimester of pregnancy is from week 1 until the end of week 13 (months 1 through 3). During this time, your baby will begin to develop inside you. At 6–8 weeks, the eyes and face are formed, and the heartbeat can be seen on ultrasound.
At the end of 12 weeks, all the baby’s organs are formed. Prenatal care is all the medical care you receive before the birth of your baby. Make sure you get good prenatal care and follow all of your doctor’s instructions.
Follow these instructions at home:
Medicines
- Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your doctor. Some medicines are safe and some medicines are not safe during pregnancy.
- Take a prenatal vitamin that contains at least 600 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid.
- If you have trouble pooping (constipation), take medicine that will make your stool soft (stool softener) if your doctor approves.
Eating and drinking
- Eat regular, healthy meals.
- Your doctor will tell you the amount of weight gain that is right for you.
- Avoid raw meat and uncooked cheese.
- If
you feel sick to your stomach (nauseous) or throw up (vomit):
- Eat 4 or 5 small meals a day instead of 3 large meals.
- Try eating a few soda crackers.
- Drink liquids between meals instead of during meals.
To prevent constipation:
- Eat foods that are high in fiber, like fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and beans.
- Drink enough fluids to keep your pee (urine) clear or pale yellow.
Activity
- Exercise only as told by your doctor. Stop exercising if you have cramps or pain in your lower belly (abdomen) or low back.
- Do not exercise if it is too hot, too humid, or if you are in a place of great height (high altitude).
- Try to avoid standing for long periods of time. Move your legs often if you must stand in one place for a long time.
- Avoid heavy lifting.
- Wear low-heeled shoes. Sit and stand up straight.
- You can have sex unless your doctor tells you not to.
Relieving pain and discomfort
- Wear a good support bra if your breasts are sore.
- Take warm water baths (sitz baths) to soothe pain or discomfort caused by hemorrhoids. Use hemorrhoid cream if your doctor says it is okay.
- Rest with your legs raised if you have leg cramps or low back pain.
- If
you have puffy, bulging veins (varicose veins) in your legs:
- Wear support hose or compression stockings as told by your doctor.
- Raise (elevate) your feet for 15 minutes, 3–4 times a day.
- Limit salt in your food.
Prenatal care
- Schedule your prenatal visits by the twelfth week of pregnancy.
- Write down your questions. Take them to your prenatal visits.
- Keep all your prenatal visits as told by your doctor. This is important.
Safety
- Wear your seat belt at all times when driving.
- Make a list of emergency phone numbers. The list should include numbers for family, friends, the hospital, and police and fire departments.
General instructions
- Ask your doctor for a referral to a local prenatal class. Begin classes no later than at the start of month 6 of your pregnancy.
- Ask for help if you need counseling or if you need help with nutrition. Your doctor can give you advice or tell you where to go for help.
- Do notuse hot tubs, steam rooms, or saunas.
- Do notdouche or use tampons or scented sanitary pads.
- Do notcross your legs for long periods of time.
- Avoid all herbs and alcohol. Avoid drugs that are not approved by your doctor.
- Do notuse any tobacco products, including cigarettes, chewing tobacco, and electronic cigarettes. If you need help quitting, ask your doctor. You may get counseling or other support to help you quit.
- Avoid cat litter boxes and soil used by cats. These carry germs that can cause birth defects in the baby and can cause a loss of your baby (miscarriage) or stillbirth.
- Visit your dentist. At home, brush your teeth with a soft toothbrush. Be gentle when you floss.
Contact a doctor if:
- You are dizzy.
- You have mild cramps or pressure in your lower belly.
- You have a nagging pain in your belly area.
- You continue to feel sick to your stomach, you throw up, or you have watery poop (diarrhea).
- You have a bad smelling fluid coming from your vagina.
- You have pain when you pee (urinate).
- You have increased puffiness (swelling) in your face, hands, legs, or ankles.
Get help right away if:
- You have a fever.
- You are leaking fluid from your vagina.
- You have spotting or bleeding from your vagina.
- You have very bad belly cramping or pain.
- You gain or lose weight rapidly.
- You throw up blood. It may look like coffee grounds.
- You are around people who have German measles, fifth disease, or chickenpox.
- You have a very bad headache.
- You have shortness of breath.
- You have any kind of trauma, such as from a fall or a car accident.
Summary
- The first trimester of pregnancy is from week 1 until the end of week 13 (months 1 through 3).
- To take care of yourself and your unborn baby, you will need to eat healthy meals, take medicines only if your doctor tells you to do so, and do activities that are safe for you and your baby.
- Keep all follow-up visits as told by your doctor. This is important as your doctor will have to ensure that your baby is healthy and growing well.
